Day 1 of Section 4’s State Track & Field Qualifier brought a smattering of noteworthy items, from a fetching bit of sportsmanship to some youngsters making waves to small-school athletes notably getting the better of their large-school opponents.

Union-Endicott will host for a second consecutive day beginning 5 p.m. Thursday. Advancing to June 8-9 state championships at Cicero-North Syracuse are the top Division I and Division II finisher in each event, as well as up to one additional athlete or relay team per division that meet a qualifying standard.

High hopes for a significant showing at C-NS will be attached to Corning junior Lindsey Butler, whose 800-meter championship came on the strength of a 2-minute, 13.78-second clocking for a four-second margin. Here is an outdoor track newcomer who had option after option regarding which state-meet path to follow.

“It was really down to the 400, 400 hurdles and the 800,” she said. “I was having a really hard time because obviously I like all of them, but it just kind of came down to what I would have the best chance of winning. Not that I’m walking in and expecting to win states, but …

“And also, I’ll be doing the 400 hurdles at nationals so I figured I’ll run that again anyway, might as well try my luck with the 800.”

While Wednesday didn’t result in a PR for Butler, it did provide a bit of schooling with regard to obstacles she is certain to face going forward, particularly that bit of substantial contact she experienced off the start line.

“I wasn’t expecting somebody to do that so, definitely shocking but … I learned my lesson from Penn Relays, girls can get aggressive in the postseason,” she said.

Corning teammate Quinn Nicholson entered the 3,200 as far-and-away favorite on a 9:15.32 seed time that was a bunch clear of next-best. He led Binghamton’s Noah Farrelly by a couple strides into the bell lap before stomping the accelerator and stretching the difference to comfortable proportions.

But with 150 or so meters to go, distance-running brotherhood mentality set in.

Nicholson was assured a berth in the state meet, but fellow senior Farrelly needed a win in the race to advance to C-NS. And so, didn’t the obliging Hawk see to it that would occur, accepting a runner-up finish behind his competitor— 9:35.53 to 9:35.87.

Patriots distance coach Dave Cody was among those who took notice, and acknowledged Nicholson’s act.

“I’m going to stuff the ballot box for him come time to determine the sportsmanship award,” Cody said.

Among small-school athletes opening eyes was Downsville junior Emily Brown, whose workload featured a 59.46 to top the 400 pack by a shade over a second. She also advanced to the 200 final with a third-fastest 26.65 back of Vestal’s Tia Jones and Jecholiah Stephenson.

“Not my best in the 400 so I’m hoping when I get the competition at states I’ll do better,” she said. “I ran 58.2 at the Eddy Meet, that’s a competitive meet.

“The goal next weekend, honestly, is to take whatever place in my division but get the best time. We’ve been hoping for a 57 to come by this season. My PR from last season was a 59.1 so if I get a 57 that’d be excellent.”

A season ago, an ankle sprain headed off competition in the State Qualifier, so Wednesday was satisfying— as was topping an all-comers 400 pack.

“Honestly, it’s really inspiring because I go to a tiny school and don’t get a lot of competition,” she said. “So when I come to these meets, it’s like run or done, you know? You have to go out and run your race, it’s all about pacing yourself, figuring out what you think is the best pace to set for yourself.”

Horseheads junior Madison Klein headed the 3,000 as expected, winning in 10:29.90. Back of her were eighth- or ninth-graders occupying three of the top six places. Runner-up was Chenango Forks eighth-grader Pipher Reid in 10:41.07.

Another 10th-grader moving on to C-NS will be Unadilla Valley’s Molly Avolio, top Division II shot putter on a 34-7½ showing that was a tad short of her best.

“Today, it’s just relieving. I feel like I put a lot of pressure on myself to do the best that I can,” she said. “I feel like I did today, so … ”

As for her state-meet debut? “I want to throw 35 feet. I don’t have too high expectations. I know I have two more years to get to the top. So I’m not going to try to kill it the first time, just try to feel it out. I’m hoping to do my best but I’m not really going to sweat it if I’m not up top.”